Radiator-loud ticking on heating cycle

Brad White_185

No, not the famous Nixon speech. Dan H. has wisely recommended the old Bakelite hard plastic checkers because they stack with the reeding teeth. The bottom one in contact with the floor I would probably hit with a belt sander for a smooth surface. The depression would fit the feet of many radiators nicely.

Now, there are commercial Teflon slide plates, not sure if they are in that small a size, but we specify them on large steam lines in tunnels where roller hangers do not fit well.

If the expansion though is along the sections, I do have to ask: Are the push nipples and draw bolts tight? Is there weeping at the sections? Reason I ask is that the push nipples and iron sections have the same coefficient of expansion. Squeaking tells me that things have some room to move or are moving at different rates.

Glen_7

One pipe steam. Out of 32 radiators in my house, the only two that make real noise are of course in the master bedroom. They heat fine, but the ticking (expansion?) sounds are loud enough and last long enough to keep you awake for some time. It is not water hammer but rather like a regular tapping sound. They have properly sized Gorton vents on them. I hate to have to get new ones just to eliminate the sound but may have no choice. Any solutions??

Brad White_185

Think along lines of

thermal expansion, with the pipe binding against the edge of a joist or better yet, a more correctable floor board. If you can drill out the tight areas, carefully, then chip out the touching portions with a chisel, that might help, ONCE you find exactly where it happens to be.

A split escutcheon plate will conceal the repair. Try that or at least the concept.

Glen_7

Brad,

Thanks for the reply. The ticking is coming from the actual sections rather than the inlet pipe. I know because I had a few radiators that were binding there and I relieved same.
You think I should try putting a small tile under each leg at the opposite end of the supply that might allow the radiator to "slide" easier??

Glen_7

Brad,

No weeping at the section joints but I will try the draw bolts when I get home to see if they can be tightened.

Thanks again.